Green Cleaning Efforts - Connecticut

Organization(s)

Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection

Project Description

As a result of Executive Order 14 issued in April 2006, all Connecticut state agencies in the executive branch are required to buy and use environmentally-preferable cleaning and sanitizing products. The order cites exposure to harmful chemicals contained in cleaning and sanitizing products as well as releases into the environment from their wastes as reasons to “go green.”

The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) along with the Departments of Public Health, Public Works, and Environmental Protection (Office of Pollution Prevention) were responsible for developing the policy for purchasing and implementation of Executive Order 14.

The policy states that environmentally-preferable cleaning products must be used in state-owned and leased facilities. Green Seal certification is being used as the standard. Municipalities, political subdivisions, and school districts can take advantage of buying Green Seal-certified cleaners under the state contract. The policy extends to vendors that are contracted by the state for janitorial and custodial services. Vendors are responsible for training their staff on the use of the products. DAS has also found that vendors have been instrumental in promoting the products and explaining the benefits of using less toxic products.

DAS reports that since the policy was released in November 2006, Green Seal-certified products are almost 15 percent of the total cleaners purchased. This number is expected to grow as agencies deplete their inventories of other cleaners. DAS will be preparing a progress report for the Governor in April.